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Martin Luther on Tribulation

Those speak foolishly who ascribe their anger or their impatience to such as offend them or to tribulation. Tribulation does not make people impatient, but proves that they are impatient. So everyone may learn from tribulation how his heart is constituted.

Martin Luther

I’m going off theme here, because I found this quote and I really like it. These days we might be inclined to substitute “stress” for tribulation. How do you behave under stress? If you become angry or impatient, doesn’t that mean the person you’re really angry with is God? Doesn’t it show a lack of obedience and submission to His will? Isn’t it sin? Our sin, not somebody else’s?

My problem with stress is different. I’m likely to worry, fret and sometimes become so overwhelmed I have trouble making a decision or moving forward at all. This is sin also, just a different kind. It’s boils down to lack of trust in God’s goodness.

Maybe you’re reaction is different from either of these. You may have a different sinful stress behavior, or you may be mature enough to let go and let God in times of suffering. For most of us, it’s something with which we have trouble, something we need to work on. We will experience trouble and tribulation. The Bible tells us that is certain. We can grow through these times, or we can keep repeating the behaviors that get us nowhere. Behavior that hurts others and hurts us. Luther’s right. Our reactions are our own and we need to take responsibility for them, and learn to do better. They reveal where we are spiritually. Next time you’re stressed, take a look in the mirror. Do you like what you see?

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About jculler1972

My husband is the pastor of St. Paul's Free Lutheran Church in Leitersburg, Maryland. I have two grown daughters and a granddaughter and am retired after a career in Purchasing. I have published articles in The Lutheran Ambassador, Lutheran Witness, and Lutheran Digest. My Bible study on the Book of Acts was published in 2016 by the Women's Missionary Federation of the AFLC(Association of Free Lutheran Churches).